Minister Announces Details of Waterford Start-Up Accelerator

Minister of State for Training, Skills, Innovation, Research & Development, John Halligan TD, has announced the establishment of the NDRC@ArcLabs Start-up Accelerator programme, supported by Enterprise Ireland, in order to further enhance the start-up ecosystem within Ireland.

The accelerator, which is based in ArcLabs at Waterford Institute of Technology (WIT), is open to applications from potential teams or individuals both in Ireland or overseas, in all technology sectors.

The investors and supporters of NDRC@ArcLabs, in addition to Enterprise Ireland, include Suir Valley Ventures, Bank of Ireland Seed and Early Stage Equity Fund, South East BIC, and Local Authorities of Carlow, Kilkenny, Waterford and Wexford, Local Enterprise Offices and Enterprise Centres.

There are ten slots available within the programme, with the first cohort to commence in early 2018. Successful applicants of the Enterprise Ireland supported accelerator programme will receive membership and a place within NDRC@ArcLabs for a period of 100 days, where teams will be able to build and commercially validate their technologies by working with existing entrepreneurial networks and mentors.

The Accelerator programme is part of Enterprise Ireland’s overall strategy to increase the number and quality of start-ups that have the potential to employ more than ten persons and achieve €1 million in export sales within three years.

Announcing the establishment of the NDRC@ArcLabs accelerator programme Minister Halligan said: “I’m delighted to welcome the establishment of this new accelerator programme in my own constituency. Ireland is recognised as a key hub for technology and innovation and this accelerator programme, supported by my Department through Enterprise Ireland, will make a real contribution to supporting more start-ups and ultimately more jobs in the South East of Ireland.”